Are you ready to sell your device or hand it down to a new owner? Maybe your phone isn’t working correctly, or you need a fresh start. Whatever the case may be, sometimes your best bet is to factory reset Android to get it back to how it was the first time you turned it on (at least software-wise). Let’s show you everything there is to know about the process. Show Guide: How to sell a used phone Editor’s note: This guide to factory reset Android is put together using a Google Pixel 4a with 5G running stock Android 12. Manufacturers often change the UI and methods for performing specific tasks. Setting layouts and button combinations might differ depending on which device you own and which version of Android it uses. A word of warningFirst things first: let’s get the disclosure out of the way. Performing an Android factory reset will delete all your data and get the software back to its original state. This means all apps and data stored on your device will be deleted. Make sure to back up all critical files and data before proceeding. We have a guide on backing up your Android phone linked right below. Here: How to back up your Android phone Try to find another solution first
Jared Wilder / Android Authority We know having to start fresh can be a hassle. The backup process isn’t simple, and re-downloading all your data can be time-consuming. It can also take a toll on your data if you aren’t connected to Wi-Fi. This is why we often recommend finding a more straightforward solution before you factory reset Android. If you are going to factory reset Android due to phone malfunctions, you can try finding your problem in our guide for Android problems and how to fix them. Check this out: Android problems and how to fix them If none of those solutions work, you can always try a restart or a soft reset (hold down the power button for 30 seconds), which won’t delete all your data. If you have exhausted all troubleshooting and need to reset Android, keep reading. Factory reset Android using the SettingsJoe Hindy / Android Authority If you’ve decided to factory reset Android, the most user-friendly way to do it is through the Settings app. How to factory reset an Android phone using the settings:
Factory reset Android using Recovery ModeDavid Imel / Android Authority Some users might not be able to access their settings. This could be due to the phone or software malfunctioning. Luckily, there’s a way to do it without accessing the consumer UI. How to factory data reset an Android phone using Recovery Mode:
Next: 13 tips and tricks to speed up your Android phone FAQsMost times, yes. That said, there are some exceptions. Factory resetting your phone will bring it back to its factory state (software-wise), so it should clean any harmful software like viruses, malware, etc. This may not be the case if your phone is rooted, though. Hackers can sometimes code malware into the system, and it can sometimes stick around after a full wipe. Yes. Thankfully, we have plenty of backup tools you can use to make the process easier. This depends on your phone. Sometimes a factory reset will eliminate all information and allow thieves to use stolen or lost phones. That said, manufacturers like Samsung and LG are making it harder to access a phone even after a factory reset. This often requires entering a password, PIN, or confirming your identity. No. Erasing content in an SD card will require formatting the SD card, itself. A factory data reset will only wipe data in the phone’s internal memory. No. After a factory data reset, the phone will revert to the latest software version you installed, not the one the phone came with initially. What does it mean when your phone says factory reset?A factory data reset erases your data from the phone. While data stored in your Google Account can be restored, all apps and their data will be uninstalled. To be ready to restore your data, make sure that it's in your Google Account. Learn how to back up your data.
Can you accidentally factory reset your phone?As we mention in the last part, you cannot undo the factory reset, but it doesn't mean that you cannot retrieve your data if you have not got an Android backup. If you mistakenly factory reset your Android phone, you can still use an Android data recovery tool to salvage your data before it's overwritten.
Does a factory reset unlock a phone?The most common way of resetting an Android phone screen lock is by hard reset. You can hard reset your Android phone to unlock it. Remember hard reset will erase all the data stored on your phone. So hard reset will unlock your phone, but you will not get your stored data back on it.
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